Voter ID law now in effect for Oklahoma

The “voter ID” law, approved by 74% of Oklahoma voters on November 2, 2010, went into effect on July 1, 2011, County Election Board Secretary Erin Dorio said today.

“This new law requires all registered voters to show proof of identity in order to vote at the polling place on election day or to vote early at the County Election Board office,” Dorio said.

According to Dorio, the law is very specific about the kind of document that can be used for proof of identity.  “Any item used for proof of identity for voting must have been issued by the federal government, the State of Oklahoma, or by a federally recognized tribal government.”  In addition, the proof of identity must show the name of the person to whom it was issued, a photograph of the person, and must include an expiration date that is after the election date.

The law also states that the person’s name on a document used for proof of identity for voting must “substantially conform” to the person’s name in the precinct registry.

Some documents that may be presented as proof of identity for voting include an Oklahoma driver license, a state identification card, a passport, or a military identification.

“Voters also may use the voter identification card they received by mail when they registered to vote,” Dorio said.  These cards are allowed even though they do not include a photograph or an expiration date.  “The voter identification card is provided to every voter free of charge when they register to vote.  Replacement cards are also free of charge,” she added.

By law, state identification cards issued to persons who are 65 years old or older do not have expiration dates but are valid proof of identity for voting.

A voter who does not have proof of identity that meets the requirements of the new law still may vote by provisional ballot.  A provisional ballot is sealed inside an envelope instead of being inserted into the voting device.  Information provided by the voter on an affidavit is investigated by election officials in the days following the election, and the ballot is either approved for counting or is rejected based on the outcome of that investigation.

Dorio said that voters can avoid proof of identity problems at the polling place by ensuring now that the name on their voter registration matches the name on their driver license or other proof of identity document or by always using the voter identification card issued by the County Election Board.